Is Teflon Safe? Why You Need to Trash It Now

This post may include affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I'll earn a small fee at no extra cost to you.

As I streamline my kitchen, I’ve been evaluating which tools and pans that I use and donating those that I don’t need. (By the way…I’m using 30 Days to a Clean & Organized Kitchen to help me sort through the clutter. If you haven’t heard of this amazing guidebook, check it out today by clicking here.)

Each day, I work on an area and choose to keep, trash, or donate extra items. I strongly prefer to donate, both to avoid adding to the landfill and to help others in need.

However, my nonstick pans went straight into the garbage–not the donation bag.

Why on earth would I do this? Because nonstick pans (like Teflon) are toxic. Plain and simple.

“What the heck?” you say. “How can something that’s toxic be in the stores? I see nonstick pans all over the place.”

Good question…first, let’s look at what makes a nonstick pan.

What’s in a nonstick pan?

A nonstick pan is a regular cooking pan or skillet that’s been coated with a mixture called Perfluorinated chemicals or Perfluorochemicals (PFC). A brand of PFC you might recognize is Teflon.

Because of PFC’s chemical structure, it has a very low coefficient of friction. This means things slide across its surface very easily–a helpful tool for cooks and bakers.

PFCs are pollutants, and their production can cause environmental contamination. This has been an ongoing issue since the 1950s because these chemicals don’t degrade. Instead they bioaccumulate, building up in your body over time.

Unfortunately, bioaccumulation is just the beginning. When you heat PFC, that’s when all heck breaks loose.

Trash the Teflon

When you cook in nonstick pans, the high temperatures (above 350 degrees F) break down the chemical coating. After 2-5 minutes on the stove, nonstick pans start to emit toxic particles and gases (source).

Nonstick cookie sheets and loaf pans are exposed to even higher temperatures in the oven. Yikes!

The resulting toxic fumes can kill pet birds. How scary is that? (By the way, don’t use Teflon-coated light bulbs like this in your chicken coop. The fumes can kill your chickens. [source])

These fumes also cause flu-like symptoms in people, sometimes called Teflon flu.

The symptoms of Teflon flu are chills, headache, and fever with possible chest tightness and mild cough. You’ll notice these symptoms anywhere from 4-8 hours after exposure.

PFCs are not just in nonstick pans, either. in 2005, the FDA discovered that PFCs in microwave popcorn bags move from the bags into your popcorn (source). They didn’t ban its use in microwave popcorn, pizza boxes, and the like until 2016.

Instead of Nonstick

Lodge cast iron pans are already seasoned, so you won’t have any trouble with food sticking to them. They conduct heat very well, so they’re great for roasting chicken and making tasty treats like Zucchini Fritters.

Replace your nonstick cookie sheets with conventional sheet pans, and use parchment paper so baked items won’t stick. Parchment paper is sturdy, and can be reused several times before being recycled/composted.

Comments

Thanks for this! I knew about Teflon and birds, but I didn’t know it was toxic to everyone (but it makes sense). I haven’t used metal bakeware since that famous home-party stoneware hit the market; I much prefer it over any type of metal. You’re right about the cast iron skillets, they’re my favorite, also, and so easy to clean up with just a few drops of oil, a sprinkle of salt and a paper towel. As far as stainless steel, there’s nothing like it for deglazing for a sauce!

I’m definitely sharing this. It’s a shame more and more things are so unsafe or unhealthy.

Welcome! I’m Pam.If you’re a busy person who wants to be healthy, live naturally, and save money, you’re in the right place.